2900XT arrived

[Matt2]

I swapped the PCI-E connectors and I still can't reach 2.8GHZ without blue screen or shut down during 3DMark06.

On the upside I got my 2900XT stable at 825/910 after I swapped the connectors. I'm starting to think that it's not a problem with my PSU as much my CPU is just old and decrepit and doesnt OC like it used to.

After looking at some 1920x1200 benches, I've concluded that my scores are pretty much in line with 3+GHZ C2D systems. Meaning at 1920x1200 I'm not very CPU limited.

 

[apoppin]

is your airflow somehow changed or more dust in the HSF?

and you PS could be the problem .. do you still have your 1900xtx? stick it back in and see if you get the same OC

 

[Matt2]

Originally posted by: apoppin
is your airflow somehow changed or more dust in the HSF?

and you PS could be the problem .. do you still have your 1900xtx? stick it back in and see if you get the same OC

Airflow remains unchanged, but it doesnt matter cause the CPU is under water.

Now I just need to decide between a second 2900XT or a C2D + mobo + RAM

 

[apoppin]

Originally posted by: Matt2

Originally posted by: apoppin
is your airflow somehow changed or more dust in the HSF?

and you PS could be the problem .. do you still have your 1900xtx? stick it back in and see if you get the same OC

Airflow remains unchanged, but it doesnt matter cause the CPU is under water.

Now I just need to decide between a second 2900XT or a C2D + mobo + RAM

Did you try your 1900xtx back in to see if it is the PS affecting the OC?

and i think you mean what you are going to buy first ... i think i would go for the CPU upgrade ... Xfire is just going to be held back by your Opty

 

[Matt2]

No, I didnt try the XTX. That'll have to wait until tomorrow, gotta get up at 6am for work tomorrow.

Which PSU should I be looking at for *possible* Crossfire? I dont want to go way over the top with the PSU, but I want to have the option to add a second card without any problems.

 

[dug777]

Originally posted by: Matt2
No, I didnt try the XTX. That'll have to wait until tomorrow, gotta get up at 6am for work tomorrow.

Which PSU should I be looking at for *possible* Crossfire? I dont want to go way over the top with the PSU, but I want to have the option to add a second card without any problems.

http://www.anandtech.com/casec...us/showdoc.aspx?i=3037

Looks pretty reasonable

As far as your CPU no longer wanting to oc, i've heard that story many times, and when someone has actually trouble-shot all the way through, it's rarely the CPU 'degrading', at any sensible voltages.

PSU's on the other hand...

 

[MarcVenice]

At 1920x1200 I think he's gonna get GPU limited faster then CPU limited, with a opty running at 2.6-2.8ghz. On the other hand, do you need a extra 2900xt right now?

 

[apoppin]

Originally posted by: Matt2
No, I didnt try the XTX. That'll have to wait until tomorrow, gotta get up at 6am for work tomorrow.

Which PSU should I be looking at for *possible* Crossfire? I dont want to go way over the top with the PSU, but I want to have the option to add a second card without any problems.

well, mine should do it ... i believe the minimum is 750w for XFire

if i was going to get a new PS, i'd pick one from the "approved" crossfire list at AMD ... and if i wanted to OC my Xfired setup, i guess i'd go for at least 900w ... and make sure your PS has all the "extra" connectors

as it is, i will probably buy the extra connectors for my PS and just try my 850w OCZ with a 2nd 2900xt ... if it is unstable or i want to OC it, i would need a "booster" PS that fits in a drive bay - ~450w

 

[nullpointerus]

I recently had some problems with my computer spontaneously rebooting and then sometimes failing to start. One night it simply wouldn't start up no matter how many times I powered it down. Removing that 6-pin to 8-pin PCIe 2.0 adapter did the trick...not sure why. This might have been due to my overclock and sleep mode problems--lemme check for you. EDIT: Yeah, I think it was just a coincidence.

 

[heyheybooboo]

Originally posted by: Matt2Since I felt the need to upgrade my video card first, I find myself running this card with a slow setup by today's standards. This system specs are:

Opteron 170 @ 2.6GHZ
DFI CFX3200 Crossfire motherboard
2GB OCZ GamerXtreme PC4000
Silverstone ST56 560w 36a PSU.
Vista 32-bit
1920x1200

One thing that really has me worried is that I think my PSU is just on the verge of not being able to handle this card. I'm running my CPU at 2.6GHZ, but normally I can run at 2.8GHZ just fine. When I tried to raise the OC on my CPU tp 2.8GHZ, 3Dmark06 started making my computer shutdown in the middle of the test. it's pretty apparent that this 560w PSU with 36a on the 12v rails is about as low as you can go with this card and an overclocked CPU.

I think your system is great - with the exception of your power supply. Your cpu is not holding you back. Changing out your rig for a C2D would be just insane, but it's your money

Max'n out your rig:
Video - 2 x 13.5 amps (26 - hd2900xt in xFire)
Mobo - 5 amps (DFIs are real voltage dawgs)
CPU - 9.2 amps (at stock Opty 170 110w)
IDE/SATA - 8 x 2.8 amps (22.4)
usb/Firewire - 2.5 amps (mouse, keyboard, gaming, camera, card reader, thumbdrive, etc)
fans/cooling - 2 amps

67 amps x 80% efficiency = 84 amps x 12 = 1008 watts !!!

At a minimum to xFire you will need 850W - assuming 4-5 IDE/SATA devices. With your current rig I'm thinkin' 700W minimum. Jack up the juice with a new PSU, xFire that HD2900xt and crank that Opty 170 up to 2,9-3.0GHz.

And chomp Intel/nVidia fanboys for lunch